San Antonio’s Straus seeks to light a fire under Senate on budget

Updated 4:35 pm, Monday, March 13, 2017

AUSTIN -- House Speaker Joe Straus in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News on Monday expressed concern over the Senate's pace and direction on the state budget.

Straus, R-San Antonio, said quick action is needed for the two chambers to have a good chance to work out their differences “if we can.”

The Senate's introductory budget would spend far less than the House. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, hasn't signaled a propensity to embrace House leaders’ preference for using part of the state rainy day fund to avoid some reductions.

Lawmakers are facing a tight budget thanks to the effects of the oil and gas industry and past decisions to cut taxes and dedicate funding to transportation.

By tradition, it’s senators’ turn this legislative session to move first on a budget measure. But Straus said the House will act if the Senate doesn’t move quickly.

When the House moved first on the budget in 2015, it took its vote on April 1 of that year, sending it to the Senate. The Senate in 2013 gave its approval to a budget on March 20 of that year, sending it to the House.

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An aide to Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said the committee should finish markup on the bill this week and vote as early as next week on the measure, paving the way for consideration by the full Senate.